How to collect
Collection methods
Different options in data collection
Surveys
Surveys are used to collect data and information. The collection of data and information are carried out by questionnaires which are sent to either enterprises or households, as being waste generators.
 Elements of a survey on waste generation (The figures will be build up with the use of links)
The figure shows the different stages of a survey on generation of waste and how they are connected.
Links/explanationtext in the figure:
The target population and the targets variables are defined in Annex I of Waste Statistics Regulation.
The target population consists of 19 economic activities (NACE) and all households (20 altogether).
The 48 waste types cover the waste universe defined by the waste classification EWC-Stat (ver 3).
The Business register defines the “identity number and descriptive details” of the business while the household register can use the information in the national population register.
The sampling frame specifies the sample units (enterprises or part of enterprises) and the scope of the sample (economic activities and the households).
The sampling design is a set of specifications which define the target population, the sampling units and the probabilities attached to the possible samples. More information can be found in the Manual p 69.
Estimates to be calculated are
• total amount of waste generated per waste type from each source,
• variances of a sample set and
• the determining confidence intervals of the variances of the sample set.
More information can be found in the Manual p.70
 Examples of questionnaires.
Part 1: identification of the address and specification of the parts of the enterprise.
 Part 2: Generation of waste by economic activities and waste types.
 Part 3: further handling of waste generated
 Questionnaire for waste collectors and transport operators
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Administrative or other sources
An administrative information source is established by an institution which regularly collects and puts together information from enterprises or institutions.
Administrative sources can be data sets from:
• public institutions (environment agencies and other supervising authorities)
•  associations and organisations in the public sector which organise or handle specific aspects of waste management
• others, such as reporting obligations under Community legislation on waste management
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Statistical estimation procedures
Statistical estimation procedures can be:
- estimation of waste generation by waste factors to be applied to waste-related activities
 estimation of waste generation via (causal) models based on “visible” variables
indirect determination of waste generation via waste treatment or waste collection- others
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Example of combination method
- combination of (i) indirect determination of waste generation via waste treatment for specific waste types and (ii) business survey of waste generation for the distribution of remaining waste types;
- combination of (i) business survey of selected economic sectors and (ii) administrative sources for remaining sectors of specific types;
- combination of (i) business survey of the economy and (ii) household survey of private households;
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Collection methods for data on waste treatment
Sources of data on waste data and waste treatment
- Data collection on waste treatment relies strongly on the use of administrative data collected for licensing and monitoring purposes such as facility register, consignment notes or waste management reports.
- Statistics on waste treatment are usually based on total surveys which only exclude small treatment facilities. Sample surveys and estimations play a negligible role.
 Due to wide variety of waste treatment operations and waste streams, data often have to be drawn from different sources, which makes the harmonisation of definitions, classifications and reporting requirements an important issue.- Some countries use data from industrial or public associations, and from the monitoring of waste products, in addition to data from other sources. The option is mainly used for data on the recycling, recovery and export of green list waste.
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